Hydraulic air-compressor and vacuum-producer



B. SKIDMORE, .IR- HYDRAULIC AIR COMPRESSOR AND VACUUM PRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. II, 1918- '1,392,s54, Paten' ted 001;. 4, 1921.,

3 SHEETSSHEET I- IIIIIII II IIiIII I II M I'lll'i I I II II| l l III I I x": II

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B. SKIDMORE, JR. HYDRAULIC AIR COMPRESSOR AND VACUUM PRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. II, 1918.

1,392,854. Patented Oct. 4, 1921;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I R a RI n W I,

B. SKIDMORE, In. HYDRAULIC AIR COMPRESSOR AND VACUUM PRODUCER.

APPLICAIION FILED FEB. H, I918. 1 1,392,854, Patented Oct. 4, 192111 3 SHEETSSHEET 3- UNETEB STATES @FFHQE.

BENJAMIN SKIDMORE, .TR-., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HYDRAULIC AIR-COMPRESSOR AND VACUUM-PRODUCER.

, Compressors and Vacuum-Producers, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hydraulic air compressors and vacuum producers and has for one of its'objects to provide improved means for removing a portion of liquid from a body or supply of liquid and which means also operates to de} liver air or a gaseous fluid into the said body or supply to replace the liquidremoved therefrom. i.

A further object is to provide an" improved apparatus of this character embodying a vacuum chamber and a compression chamber and means whereby a partial vacuum may be maintained in. one chamber and a compression will be caused in the other chamber, b tially constant liquid levels in the chambers.

A further object is to provide improved means whereby the liquid may be quickly and readily transferred from one of the chambers into the other chamber. A further object is to provide an improved apparatus of this character which will be simple, du-

- rable cheap and compact in construction and effective and efiicient in operation.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features'of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings, illustrating this invention and in which:

' z Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of an improved apparatus of this characted constructed in accordance with the principles of thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view as taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44, Fig. 3.

I Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of another form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of still another form of the invention.

Specification of Letters latent.

maintaining 'substan- Patented (let. 4, 1921..

Application filed February 11, 1918. Serial No. 216,618.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and to the form of the invention as .element embodies'a series of radially arranged pockets or chambers 14 opening through the periphery of the element,- but which pockets are closed .to each other. The element 12 with the pockets 14 therein may be constructed or formed in any desired or suitable manner. to move within a casing 15 and which casing is provided with an opening 16 that has communication with the chamber or reservoir 10. The casing 15 also has an opening 17 which forms communication with the chamber or reservoir 11 so that the only passage for liquid from the chamber or reservoir 10 into the chamber or reservoir 11 will be through the opening 16, casing 15 and opening 17.

The element 12 is of a size to fill the casing 15 so that the wall of the casing with the exception of the openings 16, 17 will form a closure for the trap liquid therein for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. I

An outlet pipeor passage 18 leads from the chamber or reservoir 10 and is provided with a controlling'valve 19 and a pipe or conduit 20 discharges into the chamber or reservoir 11 and if desired, a controlling valve 21 may be provided in this pipe or conduit20. A clean-out pipe or passage 22 may also be provided which leads from the chamber orreservoir 11 and a controlling valve 23 may be provided in this pipe.

In order to return the liquid which has "passed from the chamber or reservoir 10 This element is adapted ockets or chambers 14 to 27 conveys the liquid from the pump 24 back'into the chamber or receptacle 10.

In operation, and at the time of the starting of the apparatus, it may be assumed that all of the liquid is in the chamber or reservoir 11 and as the inlet 25 of the centrifugal pump 24 will then besubmerged, the pump 7 24 will operate when the motor is started to withdraw the liquid from the chamber or reservoir 11 and convey it or a predetermined quantity according to the height of the inlet opening 25 with respect to the bottom of the chamber or reservoir 11, back into the chamber or reservoir 10. The liquid in the chamber or reservoir 10 will flow through the opening 16 of the casing 15 into the pockets 14 of the element 12 which are adjacent the said opening and as the liquid rushes into these pockets any air which is contained or trapped within the said pockets will be discharged from the pockets through the opening 16 into the chamber or reservoir 10, in the form of bubbles. The weight of the liquid filling the pockets 14 as they approach the opening 16 will cause the element 12 to rotate in the direction of the arrow, and as the pockets which have been filled with the liquid from the chamber or reservoir 10, approach the opening 17, the

liquid will flow fromthe pockets into the chamber or reservoir 11. The opening 17 may be of any desired size so that when the liquid from the chamber or reservoir 10 has been discharged from the pockets, air or other gaseous fluid which is contained in the chamber or reservoir 11 will fill the empty pockets 14 and as the element 12 rotates beyond the opening 17, the wall of the casing 15 will form a closure for the pocketsto trap the air or gaseous fluid in the pockets, and which fluid will bedischarged into the chamber or reservoir 10 when the respective pockets move iiito communication with the opening 16 of the casing, and the liquid from the chamber or reservoir lOflows into the pockets. It will therefore be manifest that as the element 12 operates to deliver air or gaseous fluid from the chamber or reservoir 11, above the liquid level therein, into the chamber'or reservoir 10 while the pump 24 maintains the liquid levels in the said reservoirs, a suction or partial vacuum will be created in the chamber or reservoir 11 and inasmuchas the pipe or conduit 20 has communication with the chamber or reservoir 11, this-suction or partial vacuum will be manifested in the pipe or conduit 20. Likewise as therair or other gaseous fluid is conveyed from the chamber or reservoir 11 and discharged'into the chamber or reservoir 10, it will pass out of the latter through the pipe 18 to the atmosphere when the valve 19 is open. If however, the valve 19 is closed, it will be manifest that the air or gaseous fluid thus delivered into the chamber or reservoir 10 will be trapped therein above the liquid and a compression will result. This compression is obtained or produced by maintaining the liquid level in the chamber or reservoir 10 at a substantially constant level by any suitable means, such as by means of the centrifugal pump 24 shown herein and which pump operates to transfer the liquid from the chamber or reservoir 11 back to the chamber or reservoir 10. The partial vacuum or suction will also be caused -in the chamber or reservoir 11 by maintaining the liquid level therein substantially constant. 7

, In this form of the invention, the element 12 is rotated by the weight of the liquid filling the pockets or receptacles .14 and in order to facilitate such actuation of the element 12, the opening 16 is preferably arranged to one side of the center of rotation of the element.

Obviously the ends of the pockets or receptacles 14 are also closed. I

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4 there is shown an adaptation of the invention for use in conjunction with what is known as a vacuum return line heating system. The apparatus in this form of the invention operates in the same manner as the form shown in Fig. 1, but with the addition of apump 28 which has communicav tion with the chamber or reservoir 10 at the point where it is desired to maintain the liquid level therein, and to that end an inlet pipe 29 has its inlet opening 30 communicating with the chamber or reservoir 10 and leads to the pump 28, the latter being provided with a discharge pipe 31 which leads to the point of use for the discharged liquid or back to the boiler. In this form of the invention, the returns of the system are connected with the pipe or conduit 20 and the steam, water, air or vapor froi'n'the system is drawn into the chamber or reservoir 11 by means of the suction or partial vacuum created therein in the manner as described in connection with Fig. 1. The steam or vapor thus drawn into the chamber or reservoir 11 is partially condensed therein and the portion which is not condensed passes with the air into the chambers or pockets 14 of the element 12 to be carried by the element and delivered into the chamber or reservoir 10 so that'any air or vapor which is thus delivered into the chamber or reservoir 10 w ll escape to the atmosphere through the pipe 18.

Fig. 5 illustrates an adaptation of the invention in connection with a water fall or elevated body of water 32, the element 12 being located a considerable distance below the same and Within a chamber 33, the latter being open at its bottom 34 so that the liquid will be discharged therethrough and by means of which opening 34, the pockets or Laeaeta receptacles 14 will receive the air to convey the latter into the chamber 33. The air which is discharged into the chamber 33 will pass through the liquid therein in the form of bubbles and into a suitabler'eserchamber 33 is preferably shaped so as to form a deflecting wall 39 to direct the air into the reservoir 35.

The water from the body or supply 32 which latter may be in the form of a dam,.

reservoir, river, etc., may be conducted into the chamber 33 in any suitable manner,

such as by means of a pipe 40, the inlet end. '41 of which is submerged in the body of.

liquid 32. Thus it wil be seen that the pipe 40 being submerged, the liquid will flow therethrough into the chamber 33 and will operate the element 12 in the same manner as already described, to deliver water from the chamber 33 through the discharge opening 34 and to replace the water thus delivered by air which has been taken up by the ockets or receptacles 14 and conveyed by t e rotation of the element-'12, to a point where it will be discharged into thechamber 33 as the liquid therefrom enters-the pockets. Obviously the degree of pressure in the reservoir 35 and assage 36 will control the height of the liquid therein.

Fig. 6 shows another adaptation of the invention for use with a water fall or elevated body of water 32, in which adaptation the element 12 is arrangedto rotate between two chambers or reservoirs 41, 42, similar to the form shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The chamber or reservoir 41 receives its supply of liquid from the supply 32 in any suitable manner here shown as a pipe or conduit 43 leading from the source of supply and dis charging into the chamber or reservoir 41, and the latter is provided with an outlet 44 in the form of a passage or receptacle to receive the air discharged into the chamber or reservoir 41 by means of the element 12.-

The chambers or reservoirs 41, 42 are preferably supported at a considerable elevation and leading from the latter and communicating therewith, preferably so as to depend therefrom is a reservoir 45,- preferably in the form of a tube having an open bottom and which latter is sealed by liquid 46, preferably by submerging the end of the receiver 45 therein,'so that the liquid which is discharged by the element 12 from the chamber 41 into the chamber 42 will flow into the receiver 45 and be discharged therefrom at the lower'end thereof.

Connected also with the chamber or reservoir 42, as at 47 so as to communicate therewith is a pipe 48, in which latter it is de sired to create a suction and which pipe or passage leads from any suitable source.

It will therefore be manifest that as the liquid flows from the chamber or reservoir 41 into the chamber or receiver 42, the element 12 will be operated in the manner as already described The liquid flows out of the chamber or reservoir 42 into the reservoir 45 and the height of the liquid in the latt'erwill be controlled by the amount of Obviously the displacement capacity of this apparatus will depend upon the size of the pockets or chambers 14 in the element 12 and the speed of rotation of the element can*be determined, in the adaptations of the invention shown' in Figs. 5 and 6" by the height of'the liquid above the element.

While the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes maybe made in the construction ofthe various parts without departing from the spirit of the'invention, and it is also to be understood that the element 12 may be. rotated in any desired or suitable manner, either as herein shown and described or by means of some external or additional power. '1. he speed of rotation of the element must be' suchthat centrifugal force will not :prevent-the element 12 from operating in-the manner herein set forth. It is also to be understood that the reservoir or tube 45 must be of such a length or height that the suction or partial vacuum created in the chamber or reservoir 42 will be manifested therein.

Whatis claimed as new is:

1. An apparatus of the character described embodying a combined liquid and fluid displacing element freely operable by the action of the liquid thereupon, means supply for the amount of liquid displaced therefrom by the said element, substantially the same cubic amount of a different fluid.

2. An apparatus of the character described embodying a combined liquid and amount of a diflerent fluid, and means whereby the last recited fluid may be compressed.

3. An apparatus of the character described embodying a combined liquid and fluid displacing element, means for supply- I ing a quantity of liquid to the said element from a-desired elevation above the element, provisions whereby the said element will operate to discharge predetermined quantities of the liquid from thesaid supply, and provisions whereby the said *element Wlll also operate to replace in'the supply for the amount of liquid dis laced therefrom by the said element, substantially the same cubic amount of a diflferent'fluid, the said element being mounted for free rotation by the action of the liquid thereupon.

4. An a paratus of the character described em odyin ajcombined liquid and fluid displacing e ement, means for supplying a quantity of liquid to the said element from a desired elevation above the element, provisions whereby the said element will operate to discharge 'redetermined quantities of the liquid from the said supply, and.

provisions whereby the said element will alsooperate to replace in the supply for the amount of liquid displaced therefrom by the said element, substantially the same. cubic amount of a different fluid, the said element being mounted tq be freely rotated by the action of the liquid thereupon and havin a constant direction of rotation.

5. n apparatus of the character described einbodying a combined liquid and fluid displacing element, means for supplying a quantity of liquid to the said element from a desired elevation above the element to freely rotate the element, provisions whereby the said element will-operate to discharge predetermined quantities of the liquid from the said supply, and provisions whereby the said element will also operateto replace in the supply for the amount of liquid displaced therefrom by the said element, substantially the same cubic amount of a different fluid, the said element'embodying a plurality of pockets into and out of which the liquid and fluid successively flow.

6. An apparatus 'of the character described embodying a combined liquid and fluid displacing element, means for supplying a quantity of liquid to the said element from a desired elevation above the element,

provisions whereby the said element will operate to discharge predetermined quantiber of times, a casing within which the element rotates, there being pockets in the element, there being aninlet and an outlet to the casing, said outlet serving also as a fluid inlet to the pockets, and said liquid inlet also serving as a fluid outlet from the pockets, said liquid inlet and fluid outlet being disposed to one'side of the center of r0ta tion of the said element.

'7. An apparatus of the character described embodying an element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element, said element operating to control the discharge of water from the said'reservoir, a second reservoir, and revisions whereby the said element will deliver air or other gaseous fluid from the said second reservoir.

8. An apparatusof the character described embodying a rotary element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element to be delivered to the element, a reservoir for receiving water discharged from said element, and provisions whereby the said element will Withdraw fluid or vapor from the second recited reservoir and deliver the sameinto the first recited reservoir.

9. An apparatus of the character described embodying a rotary element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element to be delivered to the element, a reservoir for receiving water discharged from said element, and provisions whereby the. said element will withdraw fluid or vapor from the second 'recited reservoir and deliver the same into the first recited reservoir, and through the liquid in the latter to be compressed.

10. An apparatus of the character described, embodying a rotary element, a reseryoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element to be delivered to the element, a reservoir for receiving water discharged from said element, provisions whereby the. said element will withdraw fluid or vapor from the second recited reservoir and deliver. the same into the first recited reservoir, and provisions for' maintaining the liquid in the first fecitled reservoir at a substantially constant eve I I 11. An apparatus of the character described, embodying a rotary element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said elescribed, embodying a rotary element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element to be delivered to the element, a reservoir for receiving water discharged from said element, provisions whereby the said element will withdraw fluid or vapor from the second recited reservoir and deliver the same into the first recited reservoir, and provisions for maintaining the liquid in the respective reservoirs at substantially constant levels.

13. An apparatus of the character described embodying a rotary element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element to be delivered to the element, a reservoir for receiving water discharged from said element, provisions whereby the said element will withdraw fluid or vapor from the second recited reservoir and deliver the same into the first recited reservoir, and provisions for maintaining the liquid in the respective reservoirs at substantially constant levels, the said provisions embodying means other than the said element for transferring the liquid from one of the reservoirs into the other reservoir. 4

14. An apparatus of the character described embodying a shiftable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element, and a reservoir for receiving water discharged from said element, said element embodying a plurality of open pockets adapted to alternately communicate with the said reservoirs, whereby said pockets will alternately deliver water from one reservoir into the other reservoir and withdraw air or vapor from the said other reservoir into the first recited reservoir.

15. An apparatus of the character described embodying a shiftable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element, a reservoir for receiving water discharged from said element, said element embodying a plurality of open pockets adapted to alternately communicate with the said reservoirs. whereby said pockets will alternately deliver water from one reservoir into the other reservoir and withdraw air or vapor from the said other reservoir into the first recited reservoir, and provisions where by a partial vacuum may be maintained in one of the reservoirs and a compression may be maintained in the other reservoir, by maintaining substantially constant liquid levels in the said reservoirs.

16. An apparatus of the character described embodying a rotary element having pockets opening through the periphery thereof, and a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element whereby said element will be rotated by the water flowing into and out of said pockets, the said reservoir embodying a compression chamber, said pockets also operating when the water is discharged therefrom, to receive a supply of air or vapor and deliver the same into the said compression chamber and through the water to be compressed in said chamber.

17. An apparatus of the character described embodying a rotary element having pockets opening through the periphery thereof, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element whereby said element will be rotated by the water flowing-into and out of said pockets, the said reservoir embodying a compression chamber, said pockets also operating when the water is discharged therefrom, to receive a supply of air or vapor and deliver the same into the said compression chamber and through the water, and means for maintaining the water at a substantially constant level in said reservoir to compress the said air or vapor.

18. An apparatus of the character described embodying a rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element, said element having pockets adapted to be successively fllled by the water to rotate the element, a reservoir to receive the water discharged from the element, said pockets operating when emptied of the water to convey air from the second said reservoir into the first recited reservoirand provisions for maintaining the level of the water in the firstrecited reservoir at a substantially constant level to compress the air therein, the said means embodying provisions for transferring the water from the first into the second recited reservoir.

19. An apparatus of the character described embodying a movable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at adesired elevation above said element, said element having pockets successively moved into communication with the reservoir, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged from the pockets, said pockets when the water is discharged therefrom operating to deliver fluid from the second recited reservoir into the first said reservoir as the water flows into the pockets, and a conduit having its outlet communicating with the second recited reservoir and in which conduit a suction is created by the withdrawal of the fluid from the last recited reservoir.

20. An apparatus of the character described embodying a movable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element, said element having pockets successively moved into communication with the reservoir, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged from the pockets, said pockets when the water is discharged therefrom operating to deliver fluid from the second recited reservoir into the first said reservoir, as the water flows into the pockets, a conduit having its outlet communicating with the second recited reservoir and in which conduit a suction is created by the withdrawal of the fluid from the last recited reservoir, and provisions whereby the fluidwhich is withdrawn from the second recited reservoir will be compressed in the first said reservoir.

21. An apparatus of the character described embodying a movable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a. desired elevation above said element, said element having pockets successively moved into communication with the reservoir, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged from the pockets, said pockets when the water is discharged therefrom operating to deliver fluid from thejsecond recited reservoir into the first said reservoir as the water flows into the pockets, a conduit having its outlet communicating with the second recited reservoir and in which conduit a suction is created by the withdrawal of the fluid from the last recited reservoir, and means for maintaining the liquid in the respective reservoirs at substantially constant levels, whereby a suction or partial vacuum will be maintainedin one reservoir, and a compression will be maintained in the other reservoir.

22. An apparatus of the character de scribed embodying a movable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a. desired elevation above said element, said element having pockets successively moved into communication with the reservoir, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged from the pockets, said pockets when the water is discharged therefrom operating to deliver fluid from the second recited reservoir into the first said reservoir I as the water flows into the pockets, a conduit and a compression will be maintained in the other reservoir, the said means embodying provisions other than the said element for transferring the water from one of the reservoirs into the other.

23. An apparatus of the character described enibodying two reservoirs for containing liquid, means for transferring liquid from one of the reservoirs into the other, the said means also operating to transfer air or vapor from the receiving reservoir into the other reservoir, and meansfor maintaining a substantially constant level of liquid in the respective reservoirs.-

24. An apparatus of the character described embodying an element having open pockets, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water above said element, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged from the element, and a casing within which the said element is housed, said casing having an opening forming communication with the first recited reservoir whereby. the water will enter said pockets, and having another opening communicating with the second recited reservoir through which the water is discharged from the pockets and by means of which latter opening the pockets will withdraw fluid from the second recited reservoir to be delivered into the first recited reservoir through the first recited opening in the casing as the water flows into the pockets.

25. An apparatus of the character described embodying an element having open pockets, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water above said element, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged from the element, a casing within which the said element is housed, said casing having an opening forming communication with the first recited reservoir whereby the water will enter said pockets, and having another opening communicating with the second recited reservoir through which the water is discharged from the pockets and by means of which latter opening the pockets will withdraw fluid from the second recited reservoir to be 'delivered into the first recited reservoir through the first recited opening in the casing as the water fiows into the pockets, and means for maintaining the water in the respective reservoir at a substantially constant level whereby a partial vacuum or suction will be maintained in one of the reservoirs.

26. An apparatus of the character described embodying an element having open pockets, a reservoir for impounding adesired quantity of water above said element, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged from the element, a casing within which the said element is housed, said casing having an opening forming communication with the first recited reservoir whereby the water will enter said pockets, and having another 0 ening communicating with the second recited reservoir through which the water is discharged from the pockets and by means of which latte-r opening the pockets will withdraw fluid from the second recited reservoir to be delivered into the first recited reservoir through the first recited opening in the casing as the water flows into the pockets, and means for maintaining the water in the respective reservoirs at a substantially constant level whereby a compression will be maintained in one of the reservoirs.

27. An apparatus of the character described embodying an element having open pockets, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water above said element, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged from the element a casing Within which the said element is housed, said casing having an opening forming communication with the first recited reservoir whereby the water will enter said pockets, and having another opening communicating with the second recited reservoir through which the water is discharged from the pockets and by means of which latter opening the pockets will withdraw fluid from the second recited reservoir to be delivered into the first recited reservoir through the first recited opening in the casing'as the water flows into the pockets,

and means for maintaining the liquid in the respective reservoirs at substantially constant levels whereby a partial vacuum or suction will be maintained in one reservoir and a compression will be maintained in the other reservoir, the said means embodying a pump device for transferring the water from one into the other reservoir.

28. An apparatus of the character described embodying an element, a reservoirfor impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element, a receiver for receiving thewater discharged from the element, and provisions whereby munication, said outlet serving also as an air inlet to the pockets, and said liquid inlet also serving as an air outlet from the pockets,

, said llquid inlet and air outlet being disposed to one side of the center of rotation of the said body.

30. In combination, means embodying a retatable element for removing a portion of liquid from a supply of liquid, the said element also operating to deliver air or a gaseous fluid into the said supply of liquid to replace the liquid removed therefrom by =ervoir for impounding a desired quantity of liquid at a desired elevation above the element whereby the element when rotated Wlll intermittently deliver predetermined quantities of liquid from the reservoir, and means for directing liquid into the reservoir, the inflowing liquid operating in, the reservoir upon the said element to rotate the element, the said element also operating to intermittently deliver predetermined quantities of a gaseous fluid or vapor into the reservoir as the element is rotated, to replace the liquid discharged by the element.-

32. An apparatus of the character described embodying a rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of Water at a desired elevation above said element, said element operating to control the discharge of water from the said reservolr; a reservoir for receiving water discharged by said element, said element being shaped to withdraw fluid or vapor from the second recited reservoir and deliver the same into the first recited reservoir, and mechanism for rotating the said element.

33. An apparatus of the character described embodying a rotatable element, a

reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element, said element operating tocontrol voir, a reservoir for receiving water discharged by said element, said element being shaped to withdraw fluid or vapor from the second recited reservoir and deliver the same into the first receited reservoir, and through the liquid in the latter to be compressed,

and mechanism for rotating the said ele-' ment.

34. An apparatus of the character described, embodying a' rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element, said element operating to control .the discharge of water from the said reser- I the discharge of water from the said reservoir, a reservoir for receiving water discharged by said element, said element being shaped to withdraw fluid or vapor from the second recited reservoir and deliver the same into the first recited reservoir, mechanism for rotating the said element, and means for maintaining the liquid in the first recited reservoir at a substantially constant level.

35. An apparatus of the character described, embodying a rotary element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above said element to be delivered to the element, mechanism for rotating the said element, a reservoir for receiving water discharged by said element, said element being shaped to withdraw fluid or vapor from the second recited reservoir and deliver the same into the first recited reservoir, and provisions for maintaining the liquid in the respective reservoirs at substantially constant levels, the said provisions embodying means other than the said element for transferring the liquid from one of the reservoirs into the other reservoir.

36. An a paratus of the characterdescribed, embodying a rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of Water above said element, a reservoir for receiving the Water discharged by the element, a casing in which the said element is housed, said casing having openings forming communications with the respective reservoirs whereby Water will be delivered through the casing from one reservoir to the other by the rotation of the element and whereby fluid or vapor will' be withdrawn from the second recited reservoir and delivered into the first said reservoir, and mechanism for rotating the element, the said element having portions "thereof so shaped as to cooperate with thewa'll of the casing to trap predetermined quantities of water, and vapor and fluid being withdrawn from their respective reservoirs to be delivered to the other reservoir.

37. An apparatus of the character described, embodying a rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water above said element, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged by the element, a casing in which the said element is housed, said casing having openings forming communications with the respective reservoirs whereby water will be delivered through the casing from one reservoir to the other by the rotation of the element and whereby fluid or vapor will be withdrawn fromthe second recited reservoir and delivered into the first said reservoir, and mechanism for rotating the element, the said element having a portion shaped to form a pocket opening through the periphery thereof and which pocket is adapted to be closed by the casing wall. I

38. An apparatus of the character described, embodying a rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water above said element, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged by the element, a casing in which the said element is housed, said casing having openings forming communications with the respective reservoirs whereby water will be delivered through the casing from one reservoir to the other by the rotation of the element and whereby fluid or vapor will be withdrawn from the second recited reservoir and delivered into the first said reservoir, and mechanism for rotating the element, the said element being of a hollow construction having an opening through its eriphery.

39. An apparatus ofl the character described, embodying a rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water above said element, a reservoir for receiving the water discharged by the element, a casing in which the said element is housed, said casing having openings forming communications with the respective reservoirs whereby water will be delivered through the casing from one reservoir to the other by the rotation of the element, and whereb fluid or vapor will be withdrawn from t e second recited reservoir and delivered into the first said reservoir, and mechanism for rotating the element, the walls of the casin standing in close proximity to the periphery of the said element, and operating to trap the liquid and the fluid or vapor as they pass through the casing.

40. An apparatus of the character described embodying a rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above the element, a housing in which the element rotates, said housing having an opening communicating with the reservoir, and a discharge outlet, said housing being substantially cylindrical in cross section, the walls of the housing standing in close proximity to the periphery of the element, and mechanism for rotating the element in the housing, said element being of a construction to cooperate with the housing walls to convey the water through the housing and trap predetermined quantities of the water during its passage through the housing, the said element also operating to trap and convey a similar predetermined quantity of fluid or vapor and deliverthe same into the reservoir.

41. An apparatus of the character described embodying a rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above the element, a housing in which the element rotates, said housing having an opening com municating with the reservoir, and a dis- I be conveyed through the housing and the casing wall will serve to close said opening,

said element also operating to receive fluid or vapor after the water has been discharged therefrom and deliver the same into the reservoir through the liquid therein. 42. An apparatus of the character de scribed embodying a rotatable element, a reservoir for impounding a desired quantity of water at a desired elevation above the element, a housing in which the element rotates, said housing having an opening communicating with the reservoir, and a discharge outlet, said housing being substantially cylindrical in cross section, the walls pocket whereby the water will be conveyed to the periphery of the element, and mechanism for rotating the element in the housing, said element being shaped to form an open through the housing and the casing wall will serve to close said opening, said element also operating toreceive fluid or vapor after the Water has been discharged therefrom and deliver the same into the reservoir through the liquid therein.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this 8th day of February A. D. 1918.

, BENJAMIN SKIDMORE, JR. 

